Yesterday, the topic was about the chamber of commerce wanting a new Susanville Depot, instead all they got was an addition to the existing depot.
The world was changing rapidly. Between the affordability of the automobile and the construction of highways changed the way the public traveled. The automobile provided freedom to go places whenever a person wanted to do so, and no longer restricted to train schedules. The golden era of passenger train travel was drawing to a close.
The increased use of automobiles and trucks began to take its toll on railroads. In 1933, Southern Pacific railroad officials studied those impacts on the Westwood Branch. To eliminate mail and passenger service it was estimated it would save the railroad $25,000 annually.
On September 29, 1933 a two-day public hearing was held to abandon passenger service. In the late October it was approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission. There was one stipulation. In times when highways were closed by winter storms, the railroad would be obligated to provide passenger service. The last passenger train left Susanville on November 30, 1933.
It should be noted, while regular passenger service was discontinued, there were on occasion into the 1950s were exceptions ,made and passengers rode in the caboose.